
Black plate (34,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
If the regular brake system warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4‑32.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑49for all
brake related DIC messages.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The Traction Control
System (TCS) light comes
on briefly when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off.
When the system is active, the light flashes while the
system is limiting wheel spin or assisting with controlling
the vehicle. If it stays on or comes on while driving a SERVICE
TRACTION CONTROL message appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). This indicates that there could
be a problem with the traction control system and the
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is
on and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message
appears on the DIC, the system does not limit
wheel spin.
If the traction control system is manually turned off, this
light comes on and the TRACTION CONTROL OFF
message appears on the DIC.
See
Traction Control System (TCS)on page 5‑6and
DIC Warnings and Messageson page 4‑49for more
information.
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
The StabiliTrak Indicator
Light comes on briefly
while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light will
then go off.
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Black plate (35,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
This light may come on while the vehicle is first driven
and the STABILITRAK NOT READY message will
appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑5for more
information.
If the light stays on, or comes on while driving a
SERVICE STABILITRAK message will appear in the
DIC. This indicates that there may be a problem with
the StabiliTrak system and the vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message appears on the DIC, the
system will not assist with controlling the vehicle.
When the system is active, the light will flash while the
system is assisting with controlling the vehicle.
See StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑5andDIC
Warnings and Messageson page 4‑49for more
information.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light
For vehicles with the
lane departure warning
system, this light briefly
comes on green while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off.
This light also comes on green if the system detects
a left or right lane marking. It flashes, changes to
amber, and three beeps sound, if a detected lane
marking is crossed without using a turn signal. See
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
on page 3‑40for
more information.
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Black plate (36,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light comes on briefly
while starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light
goes off.
Notice: Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑35.
The vehicle's engine could be damaged, and it
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never
drive with the engine coolant temperature warning
light on.
The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on
when the engine has overheated.
If this happens pull over and turn off the engine as soon
as possible. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑35for
more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
EnglishMetric
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the pointer moves towards the H (United States) or
shaded in thermostat symbol area (Canada), the engine
is too hot.
A temperature indicator light will turn on and a chime
will sound.
If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, and the temperature indicator light comes
on, pull off the road, stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
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Black plate (37,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a Tire
Pressure Monitoring
System, this light comes
on briefly when the engine
is started. It provides
information about tire
pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is
significantly underinflated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑42for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the proper
pressure. See Inflation - Tire Pressure
on page 6‑64for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there may be a problem with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System. The light flashes for about a
minute and stays on steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation
on
page 6‑66for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show it is working. If it
does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp comes on and stays
on, while the engine is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service is required.
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Black plate (40,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. The
engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule for changing engine oil.
This light comes on briefly while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off. If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is
not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other
system problem.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle's
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 3‑16.
Front Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes
on when the fog lamps
are in use.
The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off.
See Fog Lamps
on page 4‑12for more information.
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Black plate (42,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Here are some things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with the fuel gauge:
.At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gauge reads full.
.It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the gauge may have
indicated half full, but it took more (or less) than
half the tank's capacity to fill it.
.The gauge moves up a little while turning a corner,
speeding up or making a hard stop.
.The gauge does not go back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the speedometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel, to
the left of the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system
problem is detected. The bottom line of the DIC
shows the shift lever position indicator. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation
on page 3‑24for more
information.
If your vehicle's DIC has these features, the compass
direction and the outside air temperature may also
display on the DIC when viewing the trip and fuel
information. The compass direction appears on the
top right corner of the DIC display. The outside air
temperature automatically appears in the bottom right
corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with
the system that controls the temperature display, the
numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
See DIC Vehicle Customization
on page 4‑58for more
information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the instrument panel cluster.
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Black plate (6,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
This light will flash when
the system is operating.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) and the
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak warning light
on the instrument panel cluster comes on after first
driving the vehicle and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for
30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system is off until the light
has turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will flash when the system is operating.
See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on
page 4‑34and StabiliTrak®Indicator Lighton
page 4‑34for more information. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed and
the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on if there is a problem with
the system. When this light and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only
if it senses that the front wheels are spinning too much
or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power (by closing the throttle and managing engine
spark) to limit wheel spin.
The TCS and StabiliTrak®
light will flash when
the system is limiting
wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal. See Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
on page 4‑34for more information.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control may be re-engaged when
road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 4‑7.
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Black plate (6,1)Buick Lucerne Owner Manual - 2011
Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code M), use
regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use
a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs
service.
If the vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN Code S), use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. If the octane is less than 87, you
might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could
damage the engine. If heavy knocking is heard when
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.
Gasoline Specifications (U.S. and
Canada Only)
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specification D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB‐3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
We recommend against the use of gasolines containing
MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 6‑7for additional
information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California Emissions Standards, the vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could
turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4‑37. If this
occurs, return to your authorized dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition is caused by the
type of fuel used, repairs might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
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